Two premiership players and a Peter Crimmins Medallist runner-up.

Hawthorn may have only made five free agency signings since the system began in 2012, but the club’s success rate in these decisions is difficult to argue against.

What makes this especially notable is that three of these five recruits have come through delisted free agency.

Jonathan Simpkin was the Hawks’ first dip into the waters of free agency back in 2012, the first year that the acquisition method was in action in the AFL.

Previously on Geelong’s rookie list, Simpkin spent three years in the brown and gold, highlighted by his place in the 2013 premiership side.

The midfielder-forward was the beneficiary of Brendan Whitecross’ tragic injury in the preliminary final, opening up a Grand Final place for Simpkin who played in a VFL premiership with the Hawks a week prior.

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James Frawley was the Hawks’ next free agency signing, when the defender committed to a move after 139 games over eight seasons with Melbourne.

Frawley made an instant impact for the Hawks, playing an instrumental role in the side’s victory over West Coast in the 2015 Grand Final.

Frawley went on to play 100 games for the Hawks before calling time on a decorated career earlier this month.

Former Crow Ricky Henderson and former Tiger Ty Vickery both joined the Hawks fold in 2016, with Vickery a restricted free agent while Henderson was a delisted free agent.

While Vickery’s signing received greater headlines at the time, it was Henderson who proved the masterstroke signing.

Henderson proved an astute pick-up straight off the bat, playing 62 of a possible 68 games across his first three seasons as a Hawk.

The utility’s best campaign came last year, when he finished second to James Worpel in the 2019 Peter Crimmins Medal count after a season in which he averaged just shy of 25 disposals.

Darren Minchington is the fifth and most recent free agency selection after he was delisted by St Kilda at the end of the 2018 season.

A popular clubman, Minchington was sadly cruelled by injury in his two years as a Hawk, managing just four games for the club before being delisted earlier this month.

Hawthorn’s free agency history

2012

Jonathan Simpkin (delisted)

2014

James Frawley (unrestricted)

2016

Ty Vickery (restricted)

Ricky Henderson (delisted)

2018

Darren Minchington (delisted)